This course will discuss the description, assessment, and treatment of swallowing disorders in infants and children.

Course Outcomes

1. Demonstrate and apply an understanding of normal development of oral motor skills as they relate to feeding and swallowing (ASHA III-B)
2. Demonstrate and apply an understanding of the anatomic and physiologic changes that may affect swallowing function (ASHA III-C)
3. Demonstrate and apply an understanding of the medical conditions often associated with dysphagia in infants and children (ASHA III-C)
4. Demonstrate and apply an understanding of assessment of feeding/swallowing performance of children with dysphagia (ASHA III -D)
5. Demonstrate and apply an understanding of management of feeding/swallowing limitations of children with dysphagia (ASHA III -D)
6. Demonstrate and apply an understanding of community and other resources for families of children with dysphagia (ASHA III-D, III-E, III-G)
7. Demonstrate the ability to identify, understand, and apply relevant literature for the purposes of evidence-based practice (ASHA III-F)
8. Describe the current state of the profession with respect to necessary knowledge and skills for the delivery of services to children with swallowing disorders and their families, as well as opportunities for specialty recognition in this area (ASHA III-E, III-H)

Course Format

This course will be primarily web-based and self-paced within the confines of the academic semester. Students are encouraged to take advantage of WebCT tools to enhance communication with the instructor and fellow students.

Text

This course will utilize two issues of the journal Seminars in Speech and Language for the primary texts:

• Volume 17 Issue 4 (November 1996) Pediatric Dysphagia: Complex Medical, Health, and Developmental Issues. Editors: Joan C. Arvedson & Maureen A. Lefton-Greif
• Volume 18 Issue 1 (February 1997) Pediatric Dysphagia II: A Team Approach for Assessment, Management, and Special Problems. Editors: Joan C. Arvedson & Maureen A. Lefton-Greif

These texts may be obtained by contacting Thieme Publishers ($19 each)

• email (customerservice@thieme.com)
• fax 1-212-947-0108
• phone 1-800-782-3488

Course Requirements

1. Participation. All seminar participants will be expected to contribute to the community of practice. At midterm and at end of the term, participants will evaluate the contributions of each participant. Details (100 pts) (Outcomes 1 - 8)

2. Self-Assessment Questions. Students will submit responses to self-assessment questions provided at the end of each text reading. Details (50 pts) (Outcomes 1 - 8)

3. Evidence-based Practice Reviews. Each student will review five peer-reviewed articles addressing an issue relevant to the course. Details (100 pts) (Outcome 7)

4. Exams. One comprehensive exam will be administered (100 pts each) (Outcomes 1 - 8)

Grading Scale

Course Outline